RAMAYANA AND MAHABARATA
The Ramayana and Mahabarata are regarded as 2 great works of Sanskrit literature, by Indian authors. They were first known in Southeast Asia when Hindu culture began to spread, when the stories were first performed for the locals through wayang kulit. They are still two of the most popular wayang kulit performances in Southeast Asia today. Southeast Asians have adapted different versions of Ramayana, where Phra Lak Phra Lam is adapted from the original story of Ramayana and is considered a national epic in Laos.
In addition, the Angkor Wat and many other temples in the Khmer empire have relief carvings that depict the scenes from the Mahabharata and Ramayana. For a temple as massive and iconic like Angkor Wat to have carvings of these 2 epic works in Hindu literature, only shows how strong the Indian influence was, further proving the presence of Indianisation in Southeast Asia.
In addition, the Angkor Wat and many other temples in the Khmer empire have relief carvings that depict the scenes from the Mahabharata and Ramayana. For a temple as massive and iconic like Angkor Wat to have carvings of these 2 epic works in Hindu literature, only shows how strong the Indian influence was, further proving the presence of Indianisation in Southeast Asia.